Coal

Coal Ore

Vale acts in the coal sector. Coal is a substance essential for the transformation of iron ore into steel.

Coal is used in th​e steel industry as well as for the generation of electricity.

Metallurgical coal

Metallurgical coal is used in steel production and is the focus of our operations and projects.

Thermal coal

Thermal coal, also produced by our operations, is used to generate heat and power in thermal power plants.

Where?

We have operations and projects in Australia and Mozambique, countries that are expected to grow the most in terms of the global coal supply. We are also participating in two joint ventures in China.

millions of tonnes of coal ore

Capacity expected in 2015, with the full opperation of the mines in Moatize (Mozambique).

Coal Mine - Moatize - Mozambique

Moatize

The Moatize Mine in Mozambique has been producing coal since July 2011, and represents our biggest investment within the segment. One of our biggest challenges in Moatize, Mozambique, is logistics. We have invested in two African railroads that connect to ports – Sena and Nacala Corridor – in order to transport the mine’s output.

Nacala Corridor

The Nacala Corridor project will connect the Moatize Coal Mine to the Port of Nacala, with a transport capacity of 18 million metric tonnes of coal per year. This line includes 237-kilometre stretch that passes through Malawi, Mozambique’s neighboring country, and will be, in total, 912 kilometres long in total.

Sena Railroad

Already in operation, this 575-kilometre line connects Moatize to the Port of Beira, in the south of Mozambique, with a transport capacity of 6 million metric tonnes of coal per year.

Production destination

Technology and Sustainability

Infrastructure

The construction and restoration of railroads in Africa is contributing to the continent’s economic and social development. As well as transporting our own output, our railroads move various other products.

Reuse

In Moatize, Mozambique, the waste produced from the coal mines will be reused for the generation of electricity: supplying Vale’s operations and contributing to the local population’s energy supply.